tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66293763555556173042018-03-02T08:24:28.689-08:00Straight Razor RookieA forty-plus year shaving veteran, but a rookie just now contemplating traditional wet shaving with a single open blade, puts down his thoughts and experiences.The Lone Fishermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06656768699538026953noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629376355555617304.post-34890826573355183082011-01-10T04:32:00.001-08:002011-01-10T06:20:49.006-08:00Old-Time NOS BladesI went to an antique show yesterday. Came home with about 200 NOS DE blades, a Gillette Old Style, and a Stahly Live Blade.<br /><br />Here's the blade tally:<br /><br />(7) Gillette Thin Blades, in 10-blade box<br /><br />(65) indiv. wrapped Berkeley blades<br /><br />(22) 4-blade packs of Sheer Hair Spring Steel blades<br /><br />(1) multi-pack of Ranger double edge Blades - cellophane-wrapped<br /><br />(1) Gillette Blue Blade 5-blade pack box w/ (1) blade<br /><br />(2) 5-packs of Star Double Edge Blades<br /><br />(3) 5-packs of SOS Double Edged BLADES (one has five blades, one has four, and one contains six or eight discards - standard DE's, an injector or two, and one old, old three-hole blade)<br /><br />(2) indiv. wrapped blades marked SOS Double Edged BLADE<br /><br />(2) indiv. wrapped PAL HOLLOW GROUND blades<br /><br />(4) indiv. wrapped non-branded blades labeled "FINEST QUALITY, DOUBLE EDGE, SURGICAL STEEL, KEENEST EDGES"<br /><br />Now to figure out whether any of these are worth anything. If not, they'll still look cool sitting in my display case.The Lone Fishermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06656768699538026953noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629376355555617304.post-36219270334831774362011-01-09T09:22:00.000-08:002011-08-01T14:54:43.500-07:00Generosity Revisited<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mxebf64DK4g/TSsV7Dkn_TI/AAAAAAAAAFc/p5ljIt4udmg/s1600/P1094463.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560562269234396466" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mxebf64DK4g/TSsV7Dkn_TI/AAAAAAAAAFc/p5ljIt4udmg/s320/P1094463.JPG" /></a><br /><div>I've been posting on the <a href="http://www.shavemyface.com/forum/index.php">SMF forum</a> lately about just how rough my initial experience with the Feather blades was. This was picked by a most generous member who offered to send me a Gillette Super Speed Blue Tip, free and clear!<br /><br />I didn't understand the free and clear at first, but he assured me he's a flea market hound like I am. He picks up razors all the time, cleans them, and forwards them on to other DE shavers like myself.<br /><br />Well, the Blue Tip arrived the other day and what to my wondering eyes should appear? Nothing but a date code of A-3! That's 1955, third quarter (July-August-September). My birthday is September 1, 1955.<br /><br />This gentleman had sent me the gift of a Birthday Razor!<br /><br />Well, I loaded it up with a Feather and had my first Blue Tip shave yesterday. Indeed, very mild. And I came away thinking that the Feather-Blue Tip combination is a worthy one.</div>The Lone Fishermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06656768699538026953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629376355555617304.post-63672260641595738032011-01-06T06:13:00.000-08:002011-01-10T06:27:19.669-08:00More Old StuffFound these in a local antique store yesterday. First up, a bakelite handled Gillette Tech. It's in fairly nice condition, except for one chip in the base of the handle. It would make a pretty good daily shaver.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mxebf64DK4g/TSsUZVQCiQI/AAAAAAAAAFU/Z2E_RuPQQtA/s1600/P1094473.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560560590352713986" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mxebf64DK4g/TSsUZVQCiQI/AAAAAAAAAFU/Z2E_RuPQQtA/s320/P1094473.JPG" /></a><br />The same trip also yielded this nice old shaving mug. Nothing fancy, just a good solid mug about 100 years old, give or take.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mxebf64DK4g/TSsUPA6sZmI/AAAAAAAAAFM/x9GGOvYASUM/s1600/P1094460.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560560413095781986" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mxebf64DK4g/TSsUPA6sZmI/AAAAAAAAAFM/x9GGOvYASUM/s320/P1094460.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div></div>The Lone Fishermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06656768699538026953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629376355555617304.post-1501333593593034812011-01-01T06:17:00.000-08:002011-01-01T06:33:24.778-08:00Old Style Safety RazorHad a close brush with a relapse of Acquisition Disorder yesterday. Lisa and I decided to run into the antiquing district of the suburb where she grew up. We just wanted to do a little quick shopping - to see what was fresh in the shops there.<br /><br />We stumbled on one shop just off the main street that's been there for about six years. We'd never seen it before! At least we had never recognized it for what it was. I asked the guy if he had any shaving gear and he was able to dig up an old Gillette Old Style Safety Razor.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mxebf64DK4g/TR84jiPcq3I/AAAAAAAAAFE/rJAqsnO72Co/s1600/PC314458.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557222648336657266" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mxebf64DK4g/TR84jiPcq3I/AAAAAAAAAFE/rJAqsnO72Co/s320/PC314458.JPG" /></a><br />In an act that was generosity itself, he GAVE it to me!<br /><br />Unfortunately, the handle is pretty badly split, as you can see in the photo above. The handle is so loose it falls off from its own weight. And there's a smaller split on the other side, coming up from the base end of the handle tube.<br /><br />Not very usable in this condition.<br /><br />I'll clean it up anyway, and test shave with it, using a handle from a spare Tech that I have. If it shaves well, I'll see about fixing it. I'll either glue the handle or check with my machinist buddy Nick about machining a new handle.<br /><br />If it ends up being a good shaver, it'd be fun to have a nice fat handle that's easy to grip. I have visions of beautiful, high profile barber pole knurling.The Lone Fishermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06656768699538026953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629376355555617304.post-72360148819900544722010-12-31T08:16:00.000-08:002010-12-31T08:22:27.962-08:00Shave of the Day - Late DecemberI've been slowly working my way thru a bundle of blades a friend sent me about a year ago.<br /><br />Slowly because I only shave once or twice a week (blasphemous of course, but SWMBO likes the stubble), and I alternate between my 1961 Super Speed and a 1940's Tech.<br /><br />Well, I've gone thru Wilkinsons, Derbys, 7 O'clocks, and... well... I was feeling a little like I had a two digit IQ or something. I could never really tell the difference between blade brands - although thankfully I could distiguish between the two razors loaded with the same brand of blade.<br /><br />Finishing up a brace of 7 O'Clocks, I reached into backstock for the next candidate.<br /><br />"What came to the top of the pile?" you ask?<br /><br />Ya, yoo-betcha... the Feathers.<br /><br />Loaded one in each razor and had at it with the SS.<br /><br />"Holy SHIT, Batman!!!"<br /><br />I had weepers galore, even though I'd been careful to use zero pressure. Overall, the shave was terrifically irregular - caused mostly by the shock of the operator, I'm sure.<br /><br />Most of all, I felt a strong regret that I hadn't chosen the milder Tech for the first test drive.The Lone Fishermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06656768699538026953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629376355555617304.post-57206096291389978672010-10-03T07:30:00.000-07:002010-10-03T07:53:23.255-07:00Travel RazorJust picked up a nice, apparently unused travel razor on eBay. If you include shipping charges, I paid more than I typically care to - about $11, but it's a nice example of a genre that I did not previously own.<br /><br />Pix to follow!<br /><br />(and yes, I know I still owe you better picutres of most of the summer's acqusitions)The Lone Fishermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06656768699538026953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629376355555617304.post-47809918386792818742010-10-02T07:35:00.000-07:002010-10-03T07:51:49.320-07:00Shave of the Day - Art of ShavingLisa was out at the Mall of America the other day and stumbled upon the new Art of Shaving store there. She took a quick peek inside, just to have a look around, and was rewarded with a sample package containing pre-shave oil, shaving cream, and after-shave.<br /><br />Well, I tried the pre-shave and shaving cream yesterday.<br /><br />I found the overall results quite satisfying - I especially liked the cream. The pre-shave oil however, was pretty odd to me. It was very heavy and sticky, which made it surprisingly hard to apply to my face.<br /><br />These days I shave post-shower and the oil instructions did not say whether to apply to wet or dry skin. I made no special effort to keep my face wet, but portions were still damp from my shower. These areas seemed to be the hardest places to apply the oil.<br /><br />I then rubbed the shaving cream in a thin layer over my entire beard. I followed that with the brush, face-lathering to a very nice rich creamy lather which built very quickly.<br /><br />Following the lathering, I did a quick with-the-grain pass with my early '60s Super Speed.<br /><br />I then rinsed and relathered, using only the lather remaining in the brush. Again, I was able to build a nice creamy lather, although it was not quite as rich as the initial application.<br /><br />Following that, I did my usual second pass against-the-grain, and only needed minimal touch-ups. All in all, a very nice satisfying near-BBS shave.<br /><br />My initial reaction to the Art of Shaving products is that they are quite effective, though I can't say I care unduly for the fragrance. In fairness, I did not try the after-shave, so cannot comment on that.The Lone Fishermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06656768699538026953noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629376355555617304.post-46366477547158495812010-09-22T18:48:00.000-07:002010-09-22T18:56:47.368-07:00AD - Take ThreeAnother round of flea marketing and antiques at the September Gold Rush in Rochester last weekend.<br /><br />I managed to escape with only a little travel razor from Germany, vintage maybe 1930's or 1940's(?) and an old porcelin shaving mug.<br /><br />Pictures to follow, although the mug has already been pressed into service.<br /><br />Also, my lovely wife was at the Mall of America yesterday. She noticed the new <a href="http://www.theartofshaving.com/">Art of Shaving </a>store there and ducked in for a quick look. She came out with a sample pack of pre-shave oil, shaving cream, and aftershave.<br /><br />I'll report on those directly as well.The Lone Fishermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06656768699538026953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629376355555617304.post-4555638539561724332010-08-24T12:03:00.000-07:002010-08-25T18:14:06.929-07:00More New Stuff or, "I'm Buying and I Can't Stop!"<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mxebf64DK4g/THVoI5CNz-I/AAAAAAAAAD0/-InRHS_Lc80/s1600/P8254289.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509424221116026850" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mxebf64DK4g/THVoI5CNz-I/AAAAAAAAAD0/-InRHS_Lc80/s320/P8254289.JPG" /></a><br /><div>Gold Rush Days in Oronoco, MN last weekend. This is a huge flea market / antique fair, and there's a sister show that's similar just down the road in Rochester the same weekend.<br /><br />Sure enough, my Acquisition Disorder kicked in again.<br /><br />In Oronoco on Friday I made off with three DE razors (1960s Super Speed with case, 1960s Adjustable with case, and a Thick Handle Tech), an Old Spice mug, and a reference book of 1000 straight razors priced and illustrated. Total spend - $19.00.<br /><br />Saturday in Rochester I did even better: three razors - a nickel plated Ball-end Tech (appears new &amp; unused, with thick paper insert showing where the blade goes, but has some pitting), a Fat Boy Adjustable, and an older gold tone Ball-end Tech in Bakelite case. Total spend - $7.00.<br /><br />All razors except the 1960s Super Speed will require some clean-up. That particular razor looks to be new-in-the-case. Even has a metal pack of blades still sealed in cellophane.<br /><br />Better pix to follow!</div>The Lone Fishermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06656768699538026953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629376355555617304.post-10709744413065751552010-08-17T10:22:00.000-07:002010-08-17T10:29:56.159-07:00New Stuff - First LookLisa and I were in South Dakota in late June and early July.<br /><div><br /></div><div>As we always do, we stopped in every antique store we saw, and this is a first look at my booty.</div><br /><div></div><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506430980080348754" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mxebf64DK4g/TGrFzVPlLlI/AAAAAAAAADk/NnXN_3hNj3A/s320/P8174216.JPG" /></p><p></p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506431287805351362" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mxebf64DK4g/TGrGFPm8FcI/AAAAAAAAADs/CKLYO2mAyEQ/s320/P8174223.JPG" /></p><p>More to follow when I get it all cleaned up.</p>The Lone Fishermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06656768699538026953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629376355555617304.post-79292193642678615832010-08-17T04:36:00.000-07:002010-08-17T04:45:32.845-07:00Shave of the Day - Aug. 16This load of Derbys is reaching the end of its life. I have one in both the Tech (which I used for this shave) and the Super Speed.<br /><br />I've lost count of how many shaves I've gotten out of them - probably ten apiece.<br /><br />I keep lovin' the Arko. I'm craving the fragrance!The Lone Fishermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06656768699538026953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629376355555617304.post-72106396248572356432010-08-15T04:39:00.000-07:002010-08-17T04:47:05.475-07:00I'm Back!Geez...! Has it really been six months since I posted here!? That was a BAD sidetrack.<br /><br />Anyway, I'm back. I've been shaving every 5 - 7 days in the mean time. Mostly with the Derbys. the current blades are getting close to being finished. I'll hav to come up with some way to objectively rate them. The only thing I have to compare them to is six month old memory of the Wilkinsons.<br /><br />Lisa and I took a drving trip to S. Dakota in late June - early July. We stopped at numerous antique stores on the way there &amp; back, and I picked up several old Gillettes, a very cool silver and glass shaving mug (probably actually silver plate), and brush.<br /><br />I'll get photos and publish in a separate post.The Lone Fishermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06656768699538026953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629376355555617304.post-44902836313956195612010-02-10T08:47:00.001-08:002010-02-10T14:47:12.099-08:00More Cool New (Old) Stuff!Lisa and I just got back from our annual trek - a week at the jewelry trade shows in Tucson. We took a day off mid-week and toured around town to several antique stores and malls. At one of our first stops I found these two treasures - a shaving mug, circa 1870 (so the tag says), and a travel shaving brush, vintage unknown. Please comment, and I'll get better photos posted when my camera batteries recharge.<br /><br /><div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436658701123844498" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mxebf64DK4g/S3LkSLWF-ZI/AAAAAAAAACY/GnWwcTz6ebA/s320/P2103824.JPG" /></div><div></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436658708414823938" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mxebf64DK4g/S3LkSmgZfgI/AAAAAAAAACg/R1lGExNLv6w/s320/P2103825.JPG" /></div><div></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 239px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436658716374684738" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mxebf64DK4g/S3LkTEKLVEI/AAAAAAAAACo/Qxe2VfVCkjw/s320/P2103832.JPG" /></div><div></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436658722031881522" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mxebf64DK4g/S3LkTZO9TTI/AAAAAAAAACw/E5GtWrco60A/s320/P2103833.JPG" /></div><div></div><div></div><div><div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mxebf64DK4g/S3LkR5TJ2xI/AAAAAAAAACQ/LWN9h1zCXow/s1600-h/P2103820.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436658696279677714" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mxebf64DK4g/S3LkR5TJ2xI/AAAAAAAAACQ/LWN9h1zCXow/s320/P2103820.JPG" /></a><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>The Lone Fishermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06656768699538026953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629376355555617304.post-63636461129410418672010-02-10T08:08:00.001-08:002010-02-10T08:11:37.740-08:00Shave of the Day - Feb. 10If you're reading this blog from end to end, you must think I only shave every two or three weeks! Not true! I only record them so often.<br /><br />Had a good shave back at home this morning, after shaving in a hotel room, with hotel soap (forgot my beloved Arko) for a week. Ahhh, it's nice to get back to real shave soap!<br /><br />No BBS this morning, but a nice shave. I think my blade's getting a bit dull. Will have to remedy that with a new Feather blade from my benefactor, Squire of the SMF Forum.The Lone Fishermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06656768699538026953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629376355555617304.post-18372460403364894942010-01-29T07:59:00.000-08:002010-01-29T08:10:01.208-08:00Shave of the Day - Jan. 29Ahhhh.... Arko and SOFT WATER!<br /><br />Today's post-shower shave was with the Arko soap, using my Gillette Super Speed. The soft water seemed to help (discovered that our water softener had run out of salt last week), although it may also have been the more aggressive SS razor. Whatever is responsible, I'm back to a BBS shave. My face feels great, although a little on the dry side. It seems as though the Arko may be a bit more drying than the Williams.<br /><br />I have to say, I love the Arko scent. I find it clean, mild, and refreshing, and it lathers like a fiend! I started a thread about Arko on <a href="http://www.shavemyface.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=41665">ShaveMyFace.com </a>and while many people like the scent to one degree or another, a significant percentage simply can't stomach it - even when they like the lathering and shaving results. Some even have mentioned that the smell takes over the whole bathroom. This is not my experience however, and I've had the mushed-up stick sitting open in a mug for over a week.The Lone Fishermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06656768699538026953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629376355555617304.post-31797229573534701092010-01-24T12:10:00.000-08:002010-01-27T07:02:55.735-08:00Shave of the Day - Jan. 24The ShaveMyFace.com resident blade connoisseur, Squire, sent me a stick of Arko Shave Soap a couple of weeks ago (along with a nice sampling of blades and a couple of vials of cologne - see below. Many thanks, Squire!). Due to circumstances I only got to trying it this morning.<br /><br />I followed his advice and chopped and mushed it up and pressed it into a mug. I have to say, using the trusty Tweezerman brush, I was able to whip up a MUCH better lather than I have with the Williams I've been using up to this point. Went on my face nice &amp; thick, and stayed. There was enough lather left in the mug for a second pass, and even a third, even though I don't do three. The lather remained nice &amp; thick all the way through my second pass as well, another plus. Having the lather thin out or collapse during my second pass has been an issue with the Williams.<br /><br />All in all, a nice close shave with my Gillette Gold Tech loaded with a Wilkinson blade, and the Arko.<br /><br />Even more to my delight, the Arko did this at a time when I all of a sudden realized my water softener was out of salt and we've been bathing with a fine clear limestone dust instead of actual liquid H2O. Can't wait to shave again when the water goes soft in a day or two.<br /><br />One last thing - this stuff is about $1.33 per stick when purchased in bulk (15 sticks) from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Arko-Shaving-Soap-Stick-free/dp/B002UBOEW2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=hpc&amp;qid=1264363911&amp;sr=8-1">Amazon.com</a>.The Lone Fishermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06656768699538026953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629376355555617304.post-83094695407097014082010-01-18T09:44:00.000-08:002010-01-24T12:19:25.735-08:00Shave of the Day - Jan. 18Back to my trusty Gillette Super Speed and Wilkinson Sword blade - two passes as usual - and back to my near BBS shave. I'll still try the Tech with more aggressive blades, but for now will use up the Wilkinsons that are loaded in both the SS and Tech.<br /><br />I would like to try the Arko that my "patron" on ShaveMyFace.com sent me before I wear the Wilkinsons out. He recommends pulverizing the stick and pressing it into a mug before using. Will need to do that next.The Lone Fishermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06656768699538026953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629376355555617304.post-35691639532381409752010-01-17T04:55:00.000-08:002010-01-24T12:19:57.687-08:00Kindness of a New AcquaintenceI've been posting some lately on the forum on ShaveMyFace.com. I'd asked a few questions on blades, and had posted about finding the Gillette Tech mentioned below. A gentleman on the forum who goes by the tag of Squire was kind enough to send me sample packs of eight different blades, along with a stick of Arko shave soap, and some French cologne/aftershave.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mxebf64DK4g/S1dUbwfzOrI/AAAAAAAAACI/_zYyeZMxYas/s1600-h/P1203817.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428900711669906098" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mxebf64DK4g/S1dUbwfzOrI/AAAAAAAAACI/_zYyeZMxYas/s320/P1203817.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Over the coming weeks I'll be testing the blades, soap, and cologne and putting my thoughts down here.<br /><br />Squire, if you're listening, thanks a ton for your kindness and generosity! If any of you newbies following this blog haven't checked out the forum at <a href="http://www.shavemyface.com/">http://www.shavemyface.com/</a>, please do so. It's a great community of wet shavers!The Lone Fishermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06656768699538026953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629376355555617304.post-48534963275606069242010-01-01T19:55:00.000-08:002010-01-24T12:20:33.193-08:00Shave of the Day - Jan. 1I used the NOS Gillette Gold Tech again this morning, but I was in a hurry. I therefore did not get nearly as good a shave as I usually do. Not nearly as close, even though it was a two-pass shave, and several small nicks - totally my fault, not the razor's.<br /><br />A new acquaintance on one of the shaving forums is generously sending me a small sampling of blades to try. I'll try these in both the Tech and the SS.<br /><br />I've also learned a few details about refurbishing a brush with a new hair knot. So that's one more thing to be watching for in the antique stores - old brushes with neat handles. It seems to be a fairly inexpensive proposition to re-knot these things.The Lone Fishermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06656768699538026953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629376355555617304.post-74143384605807982512009-12-28T10:13:00.001-08:002010-02-10T14:46:57.861-08:00New GoodiesLisa and I took the day yesterday and sent spelunking in our favorite antique haunt, Stillwater, MN. I came home with some new-old goodies - a Gillette Tech razor and a silverplate shaving cup/ scuttle.<br /><br />The gold tone Tech seems to be unused and in near pristine condition. There are just a few minor marks that seem to be from handling, certainly not from shaving use. I don't know a lot about these, and always thought they predated the butterfly safety razors, however, a quick check of the internet indicated that it could be a vintage as recent as the 1970's.<br /><br />Here are a couple of photos for your viewing pleasure:<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420352864667185586" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mxebf64DK4g/Szj2Nk_CMbI/AAAAAAAAABQ/C-o-pLplh0s/s320/PC283787.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420359856629808754" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mxebf64DK4g/Szj8kkE0_nI/AAAAAAAAAB4/WvAaPcqVs88/s320/PC283790.JPG" /><br /><br /><p>The shaving cup/ scuttle is another story. I don't know much about scuttles and thus, I don't know for sure how function follows form in this instance. It's two-piece, with a main cup and a shallow bowl insert that I assume is for a cake of shaving soap. Comments are welcome here, in case anyone has more info on origin or usage. </p><p>The halmark on the bottom indicates the cup was manufactured by the Eureka Silver Co. (I haven't researched it yet) and is quadruple plated. The number 260 is also stamped on the bottom near the halmark - perhaps a production run number?</p><p>Also, the initials JFY or JYF are engraved on the cup, obviously by hand as there is a slight tilt to the engraving orientation. I apologize for the slight glare in the photo.</p><p>Here are some photos:</p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420353953153340434" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mxebf64DK4g/Szj3M76W1BI/AAAAAAAAABY/WP74AQBTqw0/s320/PC283793.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420353959415306114" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mxebf64DK4g/Szj3NTPU14I/AAAAAAAAABg/q82e1MLJfD8/s320/PC283795.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420353969714301938" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mxebf64DK4g/Szj3N5mzC_I/AAAAAAAAABo/OIUND2sxL2c/s320/PC283799.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420357214468028578" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mxebf64DK4g/Szj6KxQXuKI/AAAAAAAAABw/zjSDoy1Y4-s/s320/PC283794.JPG" /><br /><p>Let me know what you think!</p>The Lone Fishermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06656768699538026953noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629376355555617304.post-27700716268667633062009-12-18T10:05:00.000-08:002010-01-24T12:23:16.188-08:00Shave of the Day - Dec. 18I've been shaving after showering the past few shaves, rather than before, which was always my preference. I've been surprised that I haven't hacked myself bloody! Indeed, I've had fewer cuts and closer shaves!<br /><br />Today I decided to begin using up my old Mach 3 cartridges and I must say, while I was more comfortable with the razor, the double-pass shave was as close as, but no closer than the two-pass shaves I've been getting with the Gillette DE. No cuts at all, and no razor burn either. I have to say, the Mach 3 is the mildest razor I've ever used. I don't know if it's the pivoting head or what, but it does a much nicer job than the Shick that I keep in my travel bag<br /><br />That said, I'll continue to go back &amp; forth between razors until I've used up the Shick and Mach 3 cartridges. Then, sometime after New Year's I'll have to get back to the pursuit of the straight razor shave.The Lone Fishermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06656768699538026953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629376355555617304.post-1787216297042293392009-12-01T18:38:00.000-08:002010-01-24T12:33:05.936-08:00So THAT's How You Build a LatherI finally got around to watching this:<br /><br /><object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Dd7Aj9vwrtc&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;rel=0&amp;color1=0x3a3a3a&amp;color2=0x999999&amp;border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Dd7Aj9vwrtc&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object><br /><br />Now I know what I've been doing wrong - or rather haven't even been doing. I'll have another report tomorrow after trying these techniques with the trusty cake of Williams.The Lone Fishermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06656768699538026953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629376355555617304.post-33592758834470425352009-12-01T10:08:00.001-08:002009-12-01T10:11:58.919-08:00Nice Intro From NBC's Today ShowI found this video while spelunking around the web this morning. It's Corey Greenberg's famous shaving segment on NBC's Today Show that allegedly started the worldwide wetshaving boom. A great introduction to wet shaving with DE and straight razors.<br /><br /><object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/bhDjWSJk0cQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/bhDjWSJk0cQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object>The Lone Fishermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06656768699538026953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629376355555617304.post-86327875335792073952009-11-29T12:24:00.000-08:002010-01-24T12:23:58.249-08:00Shave of the Day - Nov. 29I'm shaving every second or third day now. I changed blades in the Gillette DE and that seemed to help get back to a closer shave, but it certainly promoted the red weepers.<br /><br />Today's shave (second on the blade) was no different. Veerrrryy close, but lots of weepers. Still, the shower afterward takes care of them.<br /><br />I'm learning that most of the knack for a close shave is knowing your beard grain very well. My WTG passes leave an awful lot of whisker, but the second pass, ATG, takes care of nearly all. I just have a little touch-up here and there and I'm done.The Lone Fishermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06656768699538026953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6629376355555617304.post-88319840149822063542009-11-24T09:47:00.000-08:002010-01-24T12:24:41.624-08:00Shave of the Day - Nov. 24Best shave yet with the Gillette Super Speed although my neck, especially the left side (I'm right handed) was bloodied. I wonder if the blade is getting dull. I went two passes - WTG then ATG, as I've been doing, with a rinse &amp; re-lather in between. I'm learning more and more about what direction my beard grows - something I thought I always knew, but am now paying more attention to.<br /><br />This was the second round with the brush, and I need to get some instruction on how the heck to get enough lather to last for a pass! It may be the Williams soap, as I've heard that it's not the most lathering soap out there, or it may simply be my technique - which is what I really suspect. This was the first time I didn't rub the cake directly on my face, and that may have had something to do with it too. Still, I'd like to get away from having to use that particular technique.<br /><br />Guess I'll round up those YouTube videos on lathering with soap &amp; brush.The Lone Fishermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06656768699538026953noreply@blogger.com0